MONTSERRAT GOVERNMENT UK OFFICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London, 7 July 2025 – The Montserrat Government UK Office (MGUKO) hosted a powerful
National Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 29 June 2025, at Westminster Central Hall to
commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Soufrière Hills Volcano eruption.

The service drew more than 500 attendees – from senior officials and diplomatic
representatives to community members who travelled by coach from Preston, Ipswich and
Birmingham – creating a national moment of remembrance, resilience and renewed purpose for
Montserratians at home and abroad.

The Church’s Enduring Role

Throughout the 1995 crisis and its aftermath, churches in Montserrat and across the UK
diaspora mobilised critical relief: transforming sanctuaries into community hubs, coordinating
donations, guiding displaced families through benefits, housing and job support, and rallying
the Windrush generation and pre-eruption migrants to welcome newcomers. Sunday’s service
paid tribute to this enduring faith-led support, underlining how church communities continue to
bridge generations and keep Montserrat’s spirit alive.

Dignitaries in Attendance

• Governors Past and Present: H.E. Governor Cross, Former Governors Sarah Tucker, Frank Savage and Adrian Davis
• UK Parliament & Civic Leaders: Andrew Rosindell MP, Shadow Minister for the Overseas
  Territories, Cllr Antoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Cllr Ryan Hack, Mayor of Brent
  and Cllr Orleen Hylton
• Government of Montserrat: Mrs Janice Panton MBE, former UK Representative
  UK Government (FCDO): Mr Robbie Bulloch, Director, Overseas Territories & Polar Directorate
  and Mr Nicholas Jacques, Head, Caribbean & Bermuda Unit
• Diplomatic Corps: High Commission of Ghana and Embassy of Ireland
• Environmental & Conservation Partners: Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), UK
  Overseas Territories Conservation Forum (UKOTCF), Marine Conservation Society and Oxford
  ReSET: Rethinking Natural Resources
• Cultural & Academic Guests: Lucie Kitchener, daughter of Sir George Martin, Authors Edward
  & Josi Flood and Actors Stedroy Cabey & Khalid Daley
• Clergy: Pastor Myrtle White, Rev. Rupert Weekes, Minister Gladville Allen, Rev. Dr Ruthlyn White
  and Pastor Juliette Gerald
• Diaspora Organisations: Montserrat Overseas People’s Progressive Association (MOPPA),
  Montserrat Voices, Preston Montserrat and Friends Association

Programme Highlights

• A message of reflection and support from His Majesty The King, acknowledging the
  strength and dignity of Montserratians in the face of adversity
• Processional & “Motherland” by the Montserrat 30th Anniversary UK Community Choir
  (Dir. Leandro Kelly)
• “The Day Before” – spoken-word by Myrle Roach (Alliouagana Pearl)
• Liturgical dance by God’s Anointed Ministries, New Life Assembly Church, Hackney
• Musical tribute to the Windrush Generation by the London Community Gospel Choir
• Prayers of intercession from London, Birmingham, Preston and Ipswich representatives

The event was livestreamed worldwide; the full recording is available here:

This Thanksgiving Service is part of the UK’s SHV30 commemorations, honouring those lost, celebrating the island’s recovery, and bridging generations to inspire a future of resilience and
self-reliance.